Apparatus and method for a solid catalyst and fluid dynamic eruption reaction

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for use in conducting an eruption reaction are disclosed. The apparatus includes a catalytic solids container with a mouth and fluid egress opening and a trigger device or mechanism that allows for the controlled release of a catalytic solid into an eruptible fluid. The catalytic solids container may be adapted to be coupled to a container for an eruptible fluid.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is Continuation in Part Patent Application ofU.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 13/176,596, filed Jul. 5, 2011,which claims priority from U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No.11/623,246, filed Jan. 15, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,971,801 issued Jul.5, 2011 which claims priority from the U.S. Provisional Application No.60/853,663, filed 23 Oct. 2006, entitled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ASOLID CATALYST AND FLUID DYNAMIC ERUPTION REACTION”; the subject matterof all of which hereby being specifically incorporated herein byreference for all that they disclose and teach.

BACKGROUND

Apparatuses and methods hereof relate generally to science toys and/orteaching devices, and more particularly to toys or devices that can beused for conducting, presenting and/or observing science experimentsinvolving erupting fluids.

Experimenters have used various devices and/or methods for conductingfluid dynamic experiments or presentations involving an eruption of afluid from a container. In situations where a solid catalyst may bedropped into an eruptible fluid to cause an eruption of that fluid, themethodological examples may range from simply manually dropping one ormore solid reaction-causing articles, such as candy, directly into abottle filled with an eruptible fluid such as soda, to using specifictypes of aids or devices for putting a catalytic solid in contact withan eruptible fluid. For example, experimenters have used devices such asmetal or plastic tubes or a piece of paper rolled into a tube, or othercontainers, for holding one or more catalytic solids then, simplypositioning these relative to the fluid and dropping the solids intoeruptible fluid. Other previous methods for orchestrating such aneruptive solid/liquid reaction involve disposing a catalytic solidwithin such a tube or tubing and retaining this therein with aplaying-card or other discrete, flat triggering device. However, due tothe rapid nature of some such reactions and subsequent eruptions,currently available methods and devices have often offered inadequatecontrol over the timing or results of such a reaction. In many suchreactions, any of these prior methods would require dexterity andquickness in removal of the tube or other holding device to avoidinterference with the liquid ‘geyser’ that can shoot tens of feet upinto the air.

SUMMARY

Disclosed here is an apparatus and a method for an eruption reactioninvolving a catalytic solid and an eruptible fluid. An apparatus hereofmay include a body portion for holding a catalytic solid, the bodyportion having a mouth at a first end and a fluid egress opening at asecond end. The apparatus may also include a trigger mechanismoperatively connectable to the body portion, the trigger mechanismadapted to alternately retain and release the catalytic solid relativeto the body portion. The body portion may also be adapted to be coupledto the mouth of a container of an eruptible fluid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Apparatuses and methods hereof will be better understood by reference tothe following more detailed description and accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an implementation of an apparatus formanipulation of a fluid dynamic eruption reaction;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus like that shown in FIG.1 with a retention/trigger component in place and the apparatus attachedto a bottle;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus like that shown in FIG.1 with a retention/trigger component moved and a solid catalyst fallinginto an eruptible fluid within the bottle;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus like that shown in FIG.1 illustrating the eruptive consequence of the solid catalyst/eruptiblefluid reaction;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative apparatus with anexternally threaded mouth attached to a bottle by an external couplingcollar;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus like that shown in FIG.1 with a projectile toy mounted atop the apparatus;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an alternative implementation of anapparatus for manipulation of a fluid dynamic eruption reaction;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative apparatus like thatshown in FIG. 7 with a retention/trigger component in place and theapparatus attached to a bottle;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative apparatus like thatshown in FIG. 7 with a retention/trigger component moved and a solidcatalyst falling into an eruptible fluid within the bottle; and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative apparatus like thatshown in FIG. 7 illustrating the eruptive consequence of the solidcatalyst/eruptible fluid reaction.

FIG. 11 is a side view of an alternative apparatus like that shown inFIG. 1 with a retention/trigger component in place and the apparatusattached to a bottle and with a chassis operably attached to the bottle;

FIG. 12 is an isometric, exploded view of an apparatus like that shownin FIG. 12.

FIG. 13A-B are side views of an apparatus like that in FIG. 1 and FIGS.11-12, showing an alternative retention/trigger component integratedwith the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described here are apparatuses and methods for catalytic solid anderuptible fluid eruption reactions, and particularly for manipulationand/or control thereof. Accordingly, such an apparatus 100, alsoreferred to in some instances, as an eruption manipulation apparatus100, is illustrated, for example in FIG. 1, and may advantageously beused for conducting, observing and/or manipulating science experimentsinvolving erupting fluids. The apparatus 100 may be particularly adaptedfor use with an otherwise fluid container such as a conventional sodabottle 101 as described herein. As such the apparatus 100 may providefor controlled delivery of an eruption reaction solid article to aneruptible fluid contained within the bottle 101 or other eruptible fluidcontainer 101. Such a controlled delivery may provide for desirableeruption results.

An apparatus 100 for manipulating or triggering a solid catalyst/dynamicfluid eruption reaction according hereto may in many implementationsinclude two (2) parts: a container or body portion for containing thesolid catalyst, and a trigger device or mechanism disposed in operativerelation to the container or body portion. The body portion may have acapacity for receiving a stack of one or a number of solidreaction-causing articles. The trigger structure may allow for directand/or remote deployment of the one or more solid reaction-causingarticles into a reactionary fluid. Typically, the apparatus may be abeverage container attachment, and, the solid reaction-causing articlecan be a candy, e.g., a Mentos® mint, and the reactionary fluid can be acarbonated soda beverage, e.g., Diet Coke® cola. Accessories and/oralternatives can be provided for use with the apparatus for directingand/or enhancing the nature and direction of the eruption. A method foruse of the apparatus is also described.

The apparatus 100 is here shown including a substantially cylindricaland substantially rigid body portion 104 with a small aperture 102, alsoreferred to as a fluid egress opening, at one end, and a larger aperture116, also referred to as a mouth, at the other end. Body portion 104 mayalso be referred to as a container 104 herein. A substantially rigidmouth portion 106 defined by and/or including the larger aperture 116is, in this implementation, intended to couple the apparatus 100 to thethreaded mouth 108 of a soda bottle 101 in operable communicationtherewith. Operable communication may include providing for the movementor transfer of one or more solids from the apparatus to the container101, and/or for communication of a fluid from the container to andthrough the apparatus 100. As such, the mouth portion 106 may beinternally threaded as shown, in a fashion corresponding to or matingwith the external threading of the conventional soda bottle 101. A sodabottle collar or flange 109 may, inter alia, serve to limit the extentof the threaded connection of the eruption manipulation apparatus 100 tothe soda bottle 101.

A solids retention and/or trigger component 110, also alternativelyreferred to either as a retention component, a trigger component or as aretention trigger component 110, may be used to retain one or more solidcatalyst articles such as candy within the container 104 until atriggered release thereof is desired. As such, a retention triggercomponent 110 may be inserted into one or more laterally positionedholes 112, also sometimes referred to as respective holes 112 a, 112 b,one each disposed on either side of the apparatus 100 adjacent thethreaded mouth portion 106. In an alternative implementation, a singlehole 112 may be used so long as either: the triggering component issufficiently configured to retain articles 114 without a second hole, orthat the wall of the body portion 104 is thick enough at that point toprovide a sufficient cantilevering effect for the elongated member ofthe trigger component when this is inserted therein, inter alia.

In an implementation hereof as shown for example in FIG. 2, an eruptionmanipulation apparatus 100 is attached to an eruptible fluid containingbottle 101, and is ready for use. Such a coupling of an apparatus 100and a soda bottle 101 allows for the catalytic solid, e.g., candy, tomove in seamless transition from the container 104 to the soda bottle101. However, prior to such an attachment of the apparatus 100 to thesoda bottle mouth 108, the container or body portion 104 is loaded withone or more catalytic solids 114, such as certain types of candy, seefurther description hereof below. These one or more solids 114 may beinserted into and stacked within the body portion 104 through the largeraperture 116. The trigger component 110 may then be inserted through theone or more holes 112, and by thus extending into and in many casesprojecting through the apparatus 100, this secures the catalytic solidsin place within the apparatus 100, thus allowing the apparatus 100 to beturned over and coupled to the mouth 108 of the soda bottle 101. Thisisolates the solid catalyst(s) in a secured and readily deployableposition above the eruptible fluid 118, e.g., soda, within the bottle101.

A protruding portion of the trigger component may then be directly orremotely pulled to effect removal or at least substantial withdrawal ofthe trigger component from the container 104 as shown in FIG. 3(complete withdrawal is not required). Once the trigger component 110 ismoved in such fashion, the catalytic solid or solids 114 fall downwardthrough the aperture 116 and into the eruptible fluid 118. Once thecatalytic solids 114 contact the fluid 118, the eruption reactionbegins, as illustrated in FIG. 4. More particularly, as the catalyticsolids 114 fall into and disperse within and through the fluid 118,gases are generated at a high rate, and the forces of the gas generatingreactions cause the eruptible fluid 118 to quickly flow or move upwardand outward through the mouth 108 of the bottle and into and through theapparatus 100 and ultimately exit through the aperture 102 into theouter environment. The aperture 102 can be modified in shape and size todirect propulsion of the soda upward and/or outward in many alternativeconfigurations. A plurality of holes or one or more transverse slicescould alternatively be used as well. Indeed, one or more holes could bedisposed in the lateral sidewalls as well.

Note, either a direct or a remote triggering option may be used to movethe trigger component 110. For example, an experimenter may manuallygrasp the protruding portion of the trigger component 110 and pull, orthe protruding portion may be otherwise moved as by or throughconnection of a string or other elongated member (neither shown) toallow the experimenter to deploy the catalyst from a relatively remotelocation away from the reaction to avoid direct or indirect contact withthe eruption.

In many instances, the catalytic solid may be a candy such as Mentos®brand mints (available from Perfetti van Melle Italia, S.r.l., Milan,Italy), and the eruptible fluid may be a carbonated beverage such assoda pop, particularly diet sodas such as a Diet Coke® cola (availablefrom the Coca-Cola Company, Atlanta, Ga., USA). The reaction may becaused by either or both of a chemical reaction or a physical ormechanical reaction. Chemically, a soda beverage may be basically sugaror diet sweetener, flavoring, water and preservatives such as sodiumbenzoate. The bubbles in carbonated beverages are typically from carbondioxide gas, which is pumped into bottles at the bottling factory usinga large amount of pressure, the bubbles then being dissolved into thesoda solution. Until opened, the gas mostly stays suspended in theliquid in the bottle (or other container) and cannot expand to form morebubbles, which gases naturally do. However, a shaken bottle with acarbonated beverage which is then opened, provides for a quick releaseof the gas from the protective hold of the water molecules, the sodathen being able to erupt and escapes from the bottle, taking some of thesoda along with it. Other causes of escape for the gas from solution mayoccur when something is dropped into a glass of soda, bubblesimmediately forming on the surface of the object. In such an example,adding salt to soda causes it to foam up because thousands of littlebubbles form on the surface of each grain of salt.

Many scientists believe that a candy soda reaction or phenomenon such asthat described here is a physical reaction, rather than a chemical one.Water molecules strongly attract each other, linking together to form atight mesh around each bubble of carbon dioxide gas in the soda. Inorder to form a new bubble, or even to expand a bubble that has alreadyformed, water molecules must push away from each other. It takes extraenergy to break this “surface tension.” In other words, water “resists”the expansion of bubbles in the soda. When a candy such as Mentos® isdropped into the soda, the gelatin and gum arabic from the dissolvingcandy may break the surface tension. This may then disrupt the watermesh, so that it takes less work to expand and form new bubbles. EachMentos® candy piece has thousands of tiny pits all over the surface.These tiny pits may also be referred to as nucleation sites, or, placesfor carbon dioxide bubbles to form. Thus, as soon as the Mentos® candypiece comes into contact with the soda, bubbles may start to form allover the surface of the candy piece at and due to these nucleationsites. Couple this with the fact that the Mentos® candies are heavy andsink to the bottom of the bottle and an additional causation factor maybe in action. In particular, when the gas is generated and released fromthe carbonated fluid, it may push upward on the liquid thereabove, topush it up and out of the bottle in an incredible eruption. Similareffects may occur during the cooking of potatoes or pasta in a pot ofboiling water. The boiling water will sometimes boil over becauseorganic materials that leach out of the cooking potatoes or pastadisrupt the tight mesh of water molecules at the surface of the water,making it easier for bubbles and foam to form, thus erupting out of thepot. Further similarly, a scoop of ice cream added to a soda such asroot beer can cause a foam that foams in and perhaps out of thecontainer for essentially the same reason. The surface tension of thesoda may be lowered by gums and proteins from the melting ice cream, andthe CO2 bubbles expand and release easily, creating an erupting foam ontop.

An apparatus 100 hereof can be constructed in any suitable and/orconventional manner, e.g., by injection molding, using any suitableand/or conventional materials, e.g., high-impact plastic or acrylic.Other materials and construction methods could alternatively be used.The apertures 102 and 112 and/or 116 may be created by a bore or a sawcapable of precisely cutting through the device material e.g.high-impact plastic or acrylic. The threading 106 can be created byduring the injection molding process in connection with construction ofapparatus 100, above, or by cutting them into the plastic using knowntechniques. Further, the trigger component 110 can be constructed usingany conventional materials, e.g., this may be a rod, dowel, toothpick orother substantially cylindrical wooden stick, a plastic or acrylic wand,or may be a substantially flat or flattened or other shaped devices aswell. In some implementations, a disk shape or some other non-elongated,perhaps polygonal shape may be used. In an alternative implementation, atrigger retention device may be hingedly connected within the bodyportion of the apparatus and triggered as a flap or trap door which maybe pulled downwardly as by a string or by other means to open thecommunicable passage between the body portion and the fluid containerfor the transmission of the catalytic solid(s) from the apparatus to thefluid container.

An alternative implementation of an eruption manipulation apparatus 120is shown in FIG. 5, and includes an external coupling mechanism 130. Inthis alternative, the apparatus 120 has external threading 122 at itsmouth portion 126, rather than the internal threading shown for mouth106 in FIG. 1. This externally threaded mouth 126 may be lined up atopthe mouth 136 of the soda bottle 101 and its external threads 138. Aninternally threaded coupling mechanism 130, internally threaded at andwithin both ends, may then provide for the externally threaded lowerportion 126 of the apparatus 120 to be joined to the externally threadedneck of the soda bottle 128. In an implementation of this alternativeapparatus 120, the apparatus may be formed from a soda bottle blank,i.e., an injection molded plastic part formed prior to a subsequentblow-molding finishing process which would create a full two-literbottle. Note, in any of these or other alternatives, a commercialimplementation may include a body portion pre-loaded with one or aplurality of catalytic solids, such as candy, with a cap or otherclosure member attached or attachable to close the mouth of theapparatus. In such a case, the triggering mechanism may be pre-set aswell, or may be adapted to be set after purchase. Then, use may simplyinvolve removal of the cap (or other closure device), setting thetrigger if not pre-set, then attaching to an open fluid containercontaining an eruptible fluid. Triggering as described above may thenprovide for the eruption reaction.

An additional alternative implementation for use of an apparatus hereofis shown in FIG. 6 where a toy projectile 140 may be disposed on theapparatus 100. Upon commencement of a fluid eruption reaction, theupwardly-propelled soda traveling through the egress aperture 102 maycreate a propulsive force that may launch the projectile off theapparatus 100 and into the air.

An alternative eruption manipulation apparatus 200, is illustrated, forexample in FIGS. 7-10, and may advantageously be used for conducting,observing and/or manipulating science experiments or presentationsinvolving erupting fluids. The apparatus 200 may be particularly adaptedfor use with an otherwise conventional fluid container such as a sodabottle 201. As such the apparatus 200 may provide for controlleddelivery of one or more eruption reaction solid articles 214 to aneruptible fluid 218 contained within the fluid container 201 (see moreparticularly the following description and FIGS. 8-10).

As may also have been the situation for the previously-describedimplementations, an apparatus 200 for manipulating or triggering a solidcatalyst/dynamic fluid eruption reaction according hereto may, inaddition to other optional features, include two primary parts: a solidscontainer or body portion 204 for containing the solid catalyst, and atrigger device or mechanism 210 disposed in operative relation to thesolids container or body portion 204. The body portion 204 may have acapacity for receiving one or a stack of a number of solidreaction-causing articles (see articles 214 in FIGS. 8-10, describedfurther below). The trigger structure 210 may allow for either direct orremote deployment of the one or more solid reaction-causing articles 214into a reactionary fluid 218. Typically, the apparatus 200 may be abeverage container attachment, and, the solid reaction-causing articlecan be a candy, e.g., one or more Mentos® mints (available from Perfettivan Melle Italia, S.r.l., Milan, Italy), and the reactionary fluid canbe a carbonated soda beverage, e.g., Diet Coke® cola (available from theCoca-Cola Company, Atlanta, Ga., USA). Accessories and/or alternativescan be provided for use with the apparatus for directing and/orenhancing the nature and direction of the eruption. One or more methodsfor use of the apparatus are described further below.

As was generally true for the apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1-6, the apparatus200 here shown includes a substantially cylindrical and substantiallyrigid body portion 204 with openings at both ends. At one end is anaperture 216, and, at the other end is a threaded aperture 217 to whichmay be attached a closure device 203 which has defined therein a smallaperture 202, also referred to as a fluid egress opening 202. Bodyportion 204 may also be referred to as tubular or as a tube or acatalyst container 204 herein. A substantially rigid, internallythreaded mouth portion 206 is included near the typically lower aperture216 and is intended to couple the apparatus 200 to the threaded mouth208 of a soda bottle 201 in operable communication therewith. Operablecommunication may include providing for the movement or transfer of oneor more solids from the apparatus 200 into the interior of the container201, and/or for communication of a fluid from the container to andthrough the apparatus 200. As such, the mouth portion 206 may beinternally threaded as shown (see FIGS. 8, 9 and 10), in a fashioncorresponding to or mating with the external threading 208 of theconventional soda bottle 201. A soda bottle collar or flange 209 may,inter alia, serve to limit the extent of the threaded connection of theeruption manipulation apparatus 200 to the soda bottle 201.

At the other end of the body portion 204, an external threading 205 maybe disposed to receive corresponding internal threading of a cap member203. A cap member 203 may then include one or more apertures 202 (oneshown here) to allow egress of fluid therethrough. The apertures 202 maybe in any of many shapes and/or sizes, and/or numerical combinations(many small holes would provide for more of a misting projection,whereas fewer larger holes may provide for larger, more focused geysers;smaller diameters of fewer openings providing for greater exitvelocities, and/or higher eruptions, etc.). Moreover, the top portion ofcap 203 may be integral with (as shown) or discrete from the threadedportion thereof. Hence, if discrete, as such a top portion may be whenin a disc form, then the top portion may be interchangeable with othersimilarly sized and shaped discs/top portions. An upper lip on the capmember 203 (not shown) might be used to hold the interchangeable disc inplace relative to the upper opening 217 of body portion 204.

A solids retention and/or trigger component 210, also alternativelyreferred to either as a retention component, a trigger component or as aretention trigger component 210, may be used to retain one or more solidcatalyst articles 214 such as candy within the catalyst container 204until a triggered release thereof is desired. As such, a retentiontrigger component 210 may be inserted into and/or through one or morelaterally positioned holes 212, here shown as two holes 212 a and 212 b,one each disposed on either side of the apparatus 200 adjacent thethreaded mouth portion 206. In an alternative implementation, a singlehole 212 may be used so long as either: the triggering component issufficiently configured to retain articles 214 without a second hole, orthat the wall of the body portion 204 is thick enough at that point toprovide a sufficient cantilevering effect for the elongated member ofthe trigger component when this is inserted therein. Note, an optionaladditional sleeve member 215 is shown in FIGS. 7-10. As shown in FIG. 8,this sleeve may rest on the triggering device 210 when the triggeringdevice is disposed as shown in solids retaining position. The purposeand functionality hereof will be described further below.

In an implementation hereof as shown for example in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10,an eruption manipulation apparatus 200 is attached to an eruptible fluidcontaining bottle 201, and is ready for use. Such a coupling of anapparatus 200 and a soda bottle 201 allows for the catalytic solid orsolids 214, e.g., candy, to move or drop in substantially seamlesstransition from the container 204 to the soda bottle 201. However, priorto such an attachment of the apparatus 200 to the soda bottle mouth 208,the container or body portion 204 of the apparatus 200 is loaded withone or more catalytic solids 214, such as certain types of candy, seefurther description hereof below. These one or more solids 214 may beinserted into and stacked within the body portion 204 through eitheraperture 216 or 217. The trigger component 210 may then be inserted (orhave been pre-inserted if loading through aperture 217) through the oneor more holes 212 (212 a, 212 b), and by thus extending into and in manycases projecting through the apparatus 200, this secures the catalyticsolids 214 in place within the apparatus 200. If not priorlyappropriately positioned, cap member 203 may then be placed in operativeposition, e.g., screwed into place adjacent the upper aperture 217. Theapparatus 200 may then be positioned appropriately and coupled to themouth 208 of the soda bottle 201 using internally threaded collar 206 toengage the threaded mouth 208. This isolates the solid catalyst(s) in asecured and readily deployable position above the eruptible fluid 218,e.g., soda, within the bottle 201. Note, an extended internallypositionable sleeve 207 may be adapted to be inserted within the mouth208 of the bottle 201 to smooth the transition area and ensure little orno fluid leakage at the threaded coupling of the apparatus body 204 tothe bottle 201.

A protruding portion of the trigger component 210 (here, the endconnected to the string 211) may then be directly or remotely pulled toeffect removal or at least substantial withdrawal of the triggercomponent from the container 204 as shown in FIG. 9 (complete withdrawalis not required). Once the trigger component 210 is moved in suchfashion, the catalytic solid or solids 214 fall downward through theaperture 216 and into the eruptible fluid 218. Once the catalytic solids214 contact the fluid 218, the eruption reaction begins, as illustratedin FIG. 10. More particularly, as the catalytic solids 214 fall into anddisperse within and through the fluid 218, gases are generated at a highrate, and the forces of the gas generating reactions cause the eruptiblefluid 218 to quickly flow or move upward and outward through the mouth208 of the bottle and into and through the apparatus 200 and ultimatelyexit through the aperture 202 into the outer environment. As introducedabove, the aperture 202 can be modified in shape and size to directpropulsion of the soda upward and/or outward in many alternativeconfigurations. A plurality of holes or one or more transverse slicescould alternatively be used as well. Indeed, one or more holes could bedisposed in the lateral sidewalls 204 as well.

Note, either a direct or a more remote triggering operation may be usedto move the trigger component 210. For example, an experimenter maymanually grasp the protruding portion of the trigger component 210 andpull, or the protruding portion may be otherwise moved as by or throughconnection of an elongated string 211 or other mechanical connectionmember (neither shown) to allow the experimenter to deploy the catalystfrom a relatively remote location away from the reaction to avoid director indirect contact with the eruption.

As introduced above, a sleeve 215, here shown external of body portion204 and slidable relative thereto, may be disposed to slide downwardupon removal of the triggering component 210. This action is shown inFIG. 9: upon the removal of the triggering mechanism 210, the sleeve 215slides down to and comes to rest upon the collar 206. In so doing, thesleeve 215 can effectively cover the trigger holes 212 a and 212 b,thereby preventing or substantially reducing fluid egress therethrough.Though not shown, an internal sleeve or alternative structure could beused similarly. Other means could include spring-loaded flaps or theother hole closure devices (not shown) which engage upon the removal ofthe trigger.

Manufacture of a device 200 may be accomplished in many fashions. Inone, an appropriately-sized tube or tubing may first be obtained for thebody portion 204. One or more trigger holes 212 may be formed. Anexternal sleeve of appropriate dimension/diameter may be added. A collar206 formed with internal threading to match/correspond with aconventional fluid container 201 may also be put in place on/around theexternal surface of the tube 204 (a notch and mating protrusionengagement may be used (the notch formed on either the tube or internalto the cap with the mating protrusion formed in the opposing member) (alip 219 formed on or otherwise fixed on the external surface of the tube204 (see FIG. 8) may assist, particularly if the collar is notintegrally formed with or otherwise affixed to the outer surface of tube204; e.g., if it is freely rotatable relative to the tube 204). A capmember 203 with any variation of hole sizes, placements and/or numbersmay then be formed and put in place. The connection may be threaded forsimple removal and attachment. Otherwise, a press fit may be used, orperhaps merely a notch and mating protrusion engagement may be used (thenotch formed on either the tube or internal to the cap, with the matingprotrusion formed on the opposing member). For the optional notchengagements, a pre-formed tube drafted into service here may allow forrelatively simple notch formation on the exterior surface thereof.Corresponding protrusions could thus be formed on either or both of thecollar 206 and the cap 203 to engage the appropriate notches on thesurface of body portion 204. Substantially rigid yet minimally pliableor resilient materials may be used to assist in bringing the respectiveparts into operable orientation.

As presented in FIG. 11, the apparatus 300 can alternately include achassis 301 and wheels 303A, 303B, 303C (and 303D, not shown) formovement of the bottle and apparatus. The apparatus 300 can be operablyattached to the bottle 500. The chassis 301 is further optionallyattached to a bottle end cup 305 which can optionally be attached to acoupler 304 between the chassis 301 and the bottle end cup 305. Thebottle 500 can optionally be attached to the chassis 301 via attachments306A, 306B, which may be straps optionally including VELCRO™, cables,ties, chains, and the like. There may be one, two, three, four, five, ormore attachments like 306A and 306B. The wheeled apparatus 300 as shownin FIG. 11 shows the chassis 301 operably attached to wheels 303A, 303B,303C (with 303D not shown in FIG. 11 but shown in FIG. 12, describedhereinbelow). The bottle 500 may be coupled to an eruption manipulationapparatus 400, holding a solid catalyst 600. The eruption manipulationapparatus 400 optionally includes a trigger component 403 thatoptionally can be operatively connected to a trigger attachment 402attached or fixed to the apparatus 400. The propulsion for the apparatus300 is provided by eruptible fluid exiting a hole 405 at a first end ofthe eruption manipulation apparatus 400.

The exploded view of the apparatus 300 as shown in FIG. 12 shows thechassis 301 operably attached to axles 302A and 302B, which in turn areoperably attached to wheels 303A, 303B, 303C, and 303D. In FIG. 12,wheels 303A and 303D are operably attached to axle 302A, and wheels 303Band 303C are operably attached to axle 302B. In alternativeimplementations, the present development can comprise two, three, four,five, six, eight, or more wheels, and one, two, three, four, or moreaxles. The eruption manipulation apparatus 400, having a hole 405 at afirst end, for manipulating or triggering a solid catalyst 600/dynamicfluid eruption reaction, is operably attached or fixed at a second endto the mouth 501 of the bottle 500, optionally using a gasket 307. Theapparatus 400 optionally includes a trigger component 403 thatoptionally can be operatively connected to a trigger attachment withdetents 402 attached or fixed to the apparatus 400 holding the solidcatalyst 600. The trigger component 403 may have two prongs 403A and403B. If the solid catalyst 600 has a diameter or circumferencesubstantially smaller than the inner circumference of the apparatus 400,then a depth charge 308 can be provided as removably inserted inside theapparatus 400 to accommodate the smaller dimensions of the solidcatalyst 600. The coupler 304 and the attachments 306A, 306B are alsoshown in an exploded view. The chassis 301 can optionally furtherinclude a flag holder 309.

As shown in FIG. 13A-B, the trigger components 403 and detent portions402 can form a portion of the apparatus 400. In an alternativeimplementation, as shown in FIG. 13A, the detent portion 402 can furthercomprise one or more detents 402A, 402B, to hold the trigger component403 inserted into the inner diameter of the trigger portion 403 of theapparatus 400. The trigger component 403 is intended to hold the solidcatalyst 600 in place prior to its release into the reactionary fluidinside the bottle 500. As shown in FIG. 13C, the one or more detents402A, 402B optionally hold the trigger component 403 outside of theinner diameter of the apparatus 400. The detents 402A, 402B hold thetrigger component 403 in place and their size may be adjusted asrequired for the strength of the detent. The trigger component may movefrom a first, employed position as indicated in FIG. 13A to a second,deployed position as indicated in FIG. 13B. The detents 402A, 402B maystop the trigger component 403 so that in the second, deployed positionindicated in FIG. 13A, the trigger component does not detach from theeruption manipulation apparatus 400 after the solid catalyst is mixedwith the reactionary fluid in the bottle 500 and the eruptive reactionis released from the bottle 500 through the apparatus 400 and throughthe hole 405 at the end of the apparatus 400 to provide propulsion. Theapparatus 400 can be used with or without a propulsion toy.

One or more advantages may potentially be derived from an apparatus suchas that described here. For example, such an apparatus may be convenientand easy to use. In one specific sense, the structure of the apparatushas just two (2) main parts, i.e., the apparatus body and the triggercomponent. As a result, individuals with various skill levels can easilyassemble the apparatus in preparation for conducting an experiment orpresentation according hereto. Further, suitable low-cost, commerciallyavailable, plastic or wooden materials can be used to make the apparatusand the trigger component.

Having described a variety of implementations, numerous otheralternative implementations or variations might also and/oralternatively be made. For example, it was described that the apparatushas a cylindrical, rigid composition. However, this was merely someillustrative examples. Alternative implementations of the apparatus canbe variants on the cylindrical shape so that the space within which thecandy may be held can accommodate various configurations and quantitiesof candy.

The present apparatus has been described in detail including variousimplementations thereof. However, it should be appreciated that thoseskilled in the art, upon consideration of the present disclosure, maymake modifications and/or improvements on the apparatus hereof and yetremain within the scope and spirit hereof as set forth in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for an eruption reaction involving acatalytic solid and an eruptible fluid, the apparatus comprising: asubstantially cylindrical body portion for holding a catalytic solid,the body portion having a mouth at a first end and a fluid egressopening at a second end; wherein the body portion is adapted to becoupled to the mouth of a container of an eruptible fluid; a triggermechanism operatively connectable to the body portion, the triggermechanism adapted to alternately retain and release the catalytic solidrelative to the body portion; and the apparatus operably connectable tothe container, wherein (i) the body portion has a hole for the triggermechanism adjacent to the mouth thereof; (ii) the trigger mechanism isan elongated member moveably inserted within the hole in the bodyportion adjacent to the mouth thereof; (iii) the body portion furthercomprises an external portion fixed at one end to the side of said bodyportion within which said elongated member is slideable; and (iv) theremoval of the trigger mechanism results in mixing of said catalyticsolid with said eruptible fluid, creating a propulsive force.
 2. Anapparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the body portion is one of: (i)internally threaded within the mouth at the first end thereof; and (ii)externally threaded about the mouth of the first end thereof.
 3. Anapparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the eruptible fluid containeris a soda bottle.
 4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, the bodyportion is externally threaded about the mouth at the first end thereof.5. An apparatus as recited in claim 4, further comprising a discrete,internally threaded coupling device adapted to be coupled to the bodyportion at the externally threaded portion thereof.
 6. An apparatus asrecited in claim 5, wherein the internally threaded coupling device isfurther also adapted to be coupled to the mouth of a fluid container, toprovide for a coupling of the body portion of the apparatus to theeruptible fluid container in operable communication therewith.
 7. Anapparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the catalytic solid is one orboth of a candy and a Mentos® mint.
 8. An apparatus as recited in claim1, wherein the eruptible fluid is one or more of a carbonated fluid, asoda and a Diet Coke® cola.
 9. An apparatus as recited in claim 1further comprising a removable closure member adapted to provide forpre-loading the body portion with a catalytic solid.
 10. An apparatus asrecited in claim 1, further comprising a chassis operatively attached tothe apparatus that allows said apparatus to roll upon a surface due tosaid propulsive force.
 11. An apparatus as recited in claim 10, whereinthe chassis further comprises at least three wheels.
 12. An apparatus asrecited in claim 10, wherein the chassis is attached to the container ofthe apparatus via attachments.
 13. An apparatus as recited in claim 12,wherein the attachments are one or more of VELCRO™, cables, ties, andchains.
 14. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the externalportion includes one or more detents.
 15. An apparatus as recited inclaim 1, further comprising a depth charge inserted inside the apparatusbody portion to accommodate the dimensions of the solid catalyst if thesolid catalyst has a diameter or circumference substantially smallerthan the inner circumference of the body portion.
 16. An apparatus asrecited in claim 1, further comprising a flag holder.
 17. An apparatusas recited in claim 1, further comprising a propulsion toy.
 18. Anapparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said external portion furthercomprises one or more stops at one or more ends that prevent theelongated member from detaching from said external portion.